Video game firm takes 15,000 sq ft at Alderley Park
Airship Interactive, which provides art and design services for the likes of Disney, EA and Microsoft, will relocate its head office from Lytham St Annes to Bruntwood SciTech’s 400-acre Cheshire campus.
The company aims to bring 100 jobs to its 15,000 sq ft Alderley Park studio, located within the 150,000 sq ft Glasshouse building, by the middle of next year. This figure could double in the next three years.
“Making the leap to Glasshouse at Alderley Park, just 30 minutes from the centre [of Manchester] and situated within 400 acres of inspirational countryside, made complete sense to us,” said Airship Interactive chief executive and founder, Joe Harford.
“Airship is unlike many other game art studios. We are driven by a culture of excellence not just in our game art but in our people. This move is not just about the business’s growth, but about providing our crew with the tools and environment they deserve to continue being the best at what they do.”
- Credit: via Citypress
- Credit: via Citypress
Airship will join management research consultancy Gartner and software company Lokulus at Glasshouse, among others.
“We’re really excited to be welcoming Airship Interactive to Glasshouse,” Josh Whiteley, head of commercial at Bruntwood SciTech said.
“Glasshouse has been specifically designed for hi-tech, innovative and creative companies, providing space to be inspired and collaborate. It’s the perfect place for Airship Interactive’s next chapter in the North West and I can’t wait to see what they get up to in their studio.”
Bruntwood acquired the 400-acre former AstraZeneca R&D site in 2014 for around £40m.
In September, Bruntwood SciTech – the 50:50 joint venture between the developer and Legal & General – lodged a planning application to build 200,000 sq ft of new office and lab space at Alderley Park.
Isn’t this in Macclesfield? Never heard Macclesfield referred to as South Manchester.
By Elephant
Hi Elephant! I think you’ve misread a quote, which states that Alderley Park is 30 minutes outside of Manchester. No one says it is in South Manchester. Best -Julia
By Julia Hatmaker
Thank you Julia. I am getting my reports mixed up. Business Desk North West, states the company is selling it as South Manchester, and playing heavily on its proximity to Manchester. I suppose it is close to the airport.
By Elephant
Technically, it is in North Macclesfield
By Macc Lad
Such a nice place to work, good choice, one of the best locations in the North West this.
By Dan
From the above quote, it seems the company’s chief exec and founder sees the close proximity to Manchester as being one of the main reasons for the move.
By Dave